Blogs from Manhattan, Kansas, United States, North America

Shelley Fritz, I feel like, in so many ways, I'm blessed to have a friend like you. Because no matter where we both are in this world, or where we'll end up, we will spiritually support one another through thick and thin...and feel like we're standing side by side, sharing a hug, laughing our heads off. And although we will be half way across the world at times in our lives, we'll still remain the closest of friends. I'm so excited to be able to share a life-long friendship with you. I know we'll both find great things in our lives, but it's even greater when we together can experience what this world has to offer. This'll be one heck of an adventure. ;-) P.S., Thanks again for the letter!... read more

Or that's what it feels like, anyway. I find it frustrating that I haven't had the time to really tell myself, "Hey Lindsay. I'm going to China in blah blah days. Isn't that exciting?" With my fifteen page research paper (on Fei Xiaotong), study abroad meetings (about Asia), the visa process (with half of it written in Mandarin Chinese), and about a billion other things, I've become so busy that even the subtle hints of "China" in my crazy day-to-day routine escaped me. Until today. I finally had the chance to actually sit down...and really contemplate about my trip. No, I didn't invite my meditation cushion or anything. But I did have quite a long and silent heart-to-heart conversation with myself. And it was then and there that I came to the realization of why I'm ... read more

So! As it turns out I don't need vaccinations for Japanese enciphilitis or rabies...which means other than the second round of Hep A and typhoid vaccs, I only need anti-malarial pills. That's great news to me. I'll take anything over needles! Well...that was a lie. haha. I actually wouldn't need anti-malarial vaccs if I wasn't planning on going to Vietnam and Thailand during my trip. But my itinerary is so flexible, and I honestly don't know where I'll end up. I do know I'm going to Lhasa, Tibet through an exursion the Chengdu university offers... Anyway, I decided on the pills, since I know I'll end up somewhere in southeast Asia. It's been on my bucket-list since I was seven, after all. Oh yeah! This Thursday will be a big day for me...exactly 2 months before ... read more

So it is currently 10:30 saturday morning January 3rd and I'm three days away from leaving the US for Monterrey, Mexico. I feel about 100 emotions running through me right now, excitment, nervousness, exhaustion, and utter delightment in knowing that I'm so close. Let's see what I can do with this Blog, in the way of videos, photos, maps and what not. ... read more

I'm about 12 days away from the biggest adventure of my life, Ghana! I'm excited and nervous, happy and anxious, man, I'm feeling the whole spectrum of emotions right now! But hey, that's all to be expected right? At any rate, I can't wait for this journey to begin, meeting new people, going new places, making new memories, are all right up my alley but I still have no idea just what to expect. The not knowing, the jumping into the unknown...that definitely makes everything ten times better! I'm mostly all packed up, giving my final farewells and holding onto my last few days in the states. Thanks to everyone who made this trip possible, I can't wait to get started. They say adventure is the pursuit of life; well I say, let the chase begin! ... read more

Posted by: Onaxthiel: I again found myself up before Obfuscator and D. this morning. I let them sleep for another few few hours before deciding that If we wanted to see anything in Manhattan, KS we needed to get moving. Luckily they both woke up easily, and we were able to drive out to the state nature preserve that D. uses to stay conditioned for running marathons. By reputation, Kansas is supposed to be a terribly flat place with tornadoes blowing through all the time. While there are many parts that match this description to a T, this particular piece of public property never seems to have gotten the memo. The bluffs are sizable enough to note on a walk, and the views of the area around are pleasant enough. A small river cuts through ... read more